When you think of endangered species, what comes to mind? Even though the global list of endangered species includes plants, animals, and even algae, of all sizes, colors, and general aesthetic appeal, a few large animals typically serve as ambassadors for endangered species.
Read MoreGenetic diversity is an important, but overlooked, aspect of the conservation of endangered and threatened species. How is the genetic diversity of a tiny, threatened plant influenced by its basic biology?
Read MorePandas and whales grab a lot of our conservation attention (and funds), but what about the finelined pocketbook? This daintily named species, along with other freshwater mussels, is in deep trouble. Scientists worked together to identify research priorities for their conservation.
Read MoreFrom designer babies to GMOs, gene editing biotechnology is behind some of the most controversial issues on the news. Is it feasible and safe to use gene editing as a conservation tool?
Read MoreAnywhere people live, we build things! Along the coast, our construction projects are especially important for protecting us from strong wind and waves, and for providing opportunities for recreation in and along the water. This development is important, but how is it impacting the animals and algae that make their homes on the coast?
Read MoreVultures often serve as a symbol of death in popular movies and TV shows. However, they serve a vital role in keeping systems of life functioning healthily. Their lives are threatened by human actions, and a recent study gave some insight into how we can better conserve these important animals.
Read MoreThe Bakken Formation, a unique geological feature in the midwestern US and Canada, is a mecca for oil reserves and duck habitat. Scientists aimed to better understand how increased oil production has impacted the establishment and survival of duck broods.
Read MoreBees pollinate our food crops, make honey, and provide livelihood to families around the world. As climate change and habitat loss reduce their populations, scientists search for genetic clues to learn how the bees are adapting and how we can better conserve them.
Read MoreGlobal popularity of chocolate has led to intensive cacao bean cultivation, creating far-reaching environmental and social consequences. Agroforestry is a sustainable cultivation method that can reduce environmental impact. It is known to sustain native plants and animals more effectively than monocultures; but how do agroforestry areas compare to pristine forests?
Read MoreWhen talking about diversity in the natural world, we often think of the bright colors and bold patterns of fish gliding among a reef, or the variety of flying, creeping, and crawling critters found in the layers of a rainforest canopy. However, diversity even within a single species is an important indicator of a population’s health and stability. This type of diversity can be invisible to us when contained in the form of genes that control which traits organisms possess. In this study, scientists helped us to see the invisible diversity of an endangered skink and learn how to more effectively conserve this diversity.
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